New Line Cinema produced a series of outstanding press books to publicize the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy.

The first book was produced prior to the filming of the movie, and was actually designed to attract potentional licensees to purchase rights to manufacture movie related products, i.e. action figures, games, etc.
Not really a book, but an oversized, heavy stock paper folder, it included artists renderings of possible scenes, including the sinister mounted Ringwraiths, Sam and Frodo overlooking the Black Gate, and other color illustrations. Interestingly, many of the filmed scenese are true to the original illustrations in this book, even though it was published several years before filming actually began, and oddly enough, the artists renderings of Frodo and Sam actually look like the final characters, although the casting was not done til some time later, proving what a firm vision the production team had in their heads.

The folder is often referred to by collectors as the "Balrog Folder" because of the spectacular image of the Balrog on the "fly leaf".

This is one of the few items that bears the original movie logo, before it was changed to the one we now recognize.

There were very few of these beautiful folders published, and they are highly sought after by collectors. The production quality was outstanding. The folder was printed on heavy, textured linen type stock paper, in full color, with tissue sheets, and a die cut cover.

Because they were so oversized, it is hard to find them in mint condition, as they did not fit easily into envelopes or bookshelves. I have been told by a reliable crew member that only 400 were published in English, and I imagine many were tossed or destroyed by distinterested licensees.

I have examples in both German and English in my personal collection. (Please refer to my "about me" page for links to a site with photos.)